For now, Cuomo is state attorney general and Rice Nassau district attorney, a post to which she hopes to be re-elected next month. The Democrats stressed they are focused on their current jobs even as Cuomo is widely expected to run for governor and Rice is said to be quietly exploring a run to replace him as attorney general. "Why don't we focus on this year's elections this year and then we'll talk about next year's elections next year," Cuomo said at the Cradle of Aviation Museum, where 200 people paid $250 and up to attend. "I'm a here-and-now kind of guy."

Rice said she is "running for D.A. and I'm very proud to be doing that."

Cuomo said he and Rice have had an "effective partnership" fighting Medicaid fraud and pension fraud.

Rice aide Tucker F. Green said she expected to raise about $500,000 at the Cradle of Aviation event. Rice has $1.2 million in her campaign war chest, according to most recent filings. Her opponent, Republican Joy Watson, had $102,908.